Category: Restaurant Classics

Gluten Free Crab Cakes

Crab Cakes are a New England classic, and I have always loved them.  Of course, they are now off limits (ah breadcrumbs!).  For a while, I had been thinking about making a gluten free version at home, and when I finally put my mind to it, they turned out great!

Like many of my recipes, this one came about because I was missing an old restaurant favorite from before my Celiac diagnosis.  When recreating a recipe, I always aim to get all of the flavor and consistency of the original.  In fact, I consider it the biggest compliment when people say they can’t tell something I made is gluten free.  But the real advantage of making something from scratch is that you control what goes into it.

My Gluten Free Crab Cakes are not stingy with the crab meat (restaurants take note!).  Fresh crab is wonderful, but if like me you are not up for cooking and cleaning a live crab, try using frozen crab meat.  It is a very good alternative and worth seeking out.  Of course, you can use canned if that is what you have available.  Look for Fancy Lump Crab and be sure to check the ingredient label.

If you prep them in advance and refrigerate, you can have this entrée on the table in minutes!

Yield: 5-6 crab cakes (plan for 1 each as an appetizer or 2 as a main course)

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Ingredients:

Preparation:

Chop the garlic and red bell pepper into fine mince.  Sauté 2 minutes in 1 tsp. canola oil.  Set aside and cool to room temperature.

Add the breadcrumbs to a shallow bowl.  In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, minced veggies, lemon juice and seasonings in a separate bowl.  Add the potato flakes and whisk until smooth.

Fold in the crab meat and 2 tbsp. (half) of the breadcrumbs.

Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, scoop out the mixture to form 5-6 crab cakes.  Handle them gently and they should hold together (they will be wet).  Carefully roll each crab cake in the remaining breadcrumbs to coat.  Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment and refrigerate for 1 hour.  This will help retain their shape and hold together while cooking.

Heat a non-stick griddle or large skillet over medium low with 1 tbsp. butter and 1 tbsp. olive oil.

Cook the crab cakes for 5 minutes per side.  To get that golden crust, don’t move the crab cakes around until it’s time to flip them over.  Transfer to a baking sheet and put them in a 350º oven for a few more minutes to finish, then lower the heat and keep warm until serving.

Friends, they were so delicious!  The recipe is easy enough, wouldn’t you say?  A lovely appetizer to begin a meal or serve as a main course.  Go on and give it a try, surprise your special someone or treat yourself.

Notes ♪♫ Several of my readers have mentioned that Lea and Perrins Worcestershire Sauce is not gluten free in Canada, as it contains malt vinegar.  (In the US, it is made with distilled white vinegar and is gluten free).  Always check labels!

Originally published 5/26/19, Updated and rephotographed 6/16/26

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Gluten Free Veal Osso Buco

Osso Buco is a classic Italian dish of Milanese origin.  Traditionally made with veal shanks, slowly braised in an aromatic wine sauce, it is the perfect dish for a Sunday afternoon.  Serve it over risotto, polenta or pasta for a 5-star meal.  This would be an amazing dinner for 2, that will really impress your special someone!  Or, you can double or triple the recipe for a dinner party.

Dinner for 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 veal shanks
  • 1/4 cup gluten free flour
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 sweet onion, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 small carrots, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1-1/2 cups beef stock
  • 1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes
  • fresh rosemary, thyme and bay leaf
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • Italian parsley for garnish

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Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 325º.

Pat the veal shanks dry with paper towels.  Tie them with twine, then sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.

Add the flour to a bowl or breading tray.  Dredge the veal shanks to coat both sides with the flour.

Heat olive oil in an ovenproof deep skillet with cover.  I used a stainless-steel everyday pan.  Brown the veal shanks on both sides then remove to a plate.

Next add the carrots, celery, onion and garlic to the skillet with salt and pepper to taste.  Stir frequently for 2-3 minutes.

Add the wine, stir well and simmer a few minutes, to let some of the alcohol evaporate.

Finally, add the beef stock and tomatoes to the skillet and nestle the veal shanks in the center.  Top with the fresh herbs.

Cover and place in the oven for 2 ½ hours.

To serve, transfer the veal shanks to dinner size bowls, one shank per person and keep warm.  Remove the herbs from the skillet and puree the veggies into a sauce.  Simmer with the cover off to thicken.

Spoon sauce over the veal shanks and garnish with Italian parsley.

I served mine with Taste Republic Gluten Free Tortellini and this dinner was amazing!  You can serve the veal with regular pasta or risotto and don’t forget to bring grated cheese to the table.  

Notes ♪♫ This is another great Italian recipe that is easily converted to gluten free.  The only ingredient that I had to change was the flour.  Use any gluten free all-purpose flour, or a single grain flour like a fine grain rice flour.  Check labels on prepared ingredients, like beef stock.  I used Swansons, my favorite brand as far as flavor and their beef stock is gluten free.

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Gluten Free Shrimp Fra Diavolo 🔥

Fra Diavolo is a spicy tomato sauce traditionally paired with pasta and seafood.  It’s a simple sauce made with a generous amount of crushed red pepper flakes.  You can adjust the heat to your liking, I usually plan on 1/2 tsp. per serving.  Do you like it spicy? 🔥🔥🔥

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2 Servings

Ingredients:

  • 3 tbsp. olive oil, divided
  • 1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined (I used 16-20 per pound count)
  • 4 cloves garlic, crushed and coarse chopped
  • 1 tsp. red pepper flakes (or as much as you like)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz.) fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • salt, to taste
  • 1/2 tsp. oregano
  • 4 oz. gluten free pasta (I used Jovial capellini)
  • fresh Italian parsley, for garnish

Preparation:

Heat a large skillet with 1 tbsp. olive oil and boil a large pot of salted water for the pasta.  Partially cook the shrimp, about 1 minute per side.

Remove the shrimp to a bowl and add another tbsp. olive oil to the skillet.  Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for 30 seconds, stirring several times.

Add the fire roasted tomatoes with juice, 1/2 tsp. oregano and salt to taste.

Cook the pasta to 2 minutes less than package directions.  With 4 minutes to go on the pasta, add the shrimp to the sauce.

Drain the pasta, add it right into the sauce and toss with 1 more tbsp. olive oil and more red pepper flakes if you dare! ♨️

Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with fresh Italian parsley.

I absolutely love the spice in this dish!  If you prefer something milder though, you can try my Shrimp Scampi recipe, the sauce is very similar but with a fraction of the heat.

Notes ♪♫ Shrimp size labels are not officially regulated and can differ from one brand to another.  What one producer considers large or extra-large may be extra jumbo or colossal to another.  That’s why it’s important to go by the count per pound.  My shrimp was labeled 16-20, which means there should be 16 to 20 shrimp per pound.  I used 16 shrimp (a generous 8 per serving) for this recipe.

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Gluten Free Chicken Marsala

This restaurant classic gets a gluten free makeover with just two ingredient swaps!  I can’t remember the last time I made Chicken Marsala.  It’s definitely been on my recipe bucket list though, so on my last trip to the liquor store I picked up a bottle of dry marsala wine.

I was able to get thin sliced chicken breast for this recipe, lucky me, a real time saver!  Each slice weighed about 6 oz.  If you can’t find this, just use a whole breast and cut into 1/2″ slices.

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Ingredients:

  • thin sliced chicken breast, about 6 oz. per serving
  • olive oil
  • white rice flour
  • 2 tbsp. butter
  • 1/4 cup shallots, sliced
  • 8 oz. package button mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
  • 1 tbsp. fresh minced sage leaves
  • 1/2 cup dry marsala wine (not cooking wine!)
  • 1/3 cup gluten free chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 8 oz. gluten free penne (I used Barilla)
  • Italian parsley for garnish

Preparation:

Once you slice the mushrooms and shallots, this meal comes together quickly, so be sure to have all your ingredients laid out and at the ready.

Heat a large pot of salted water for the pasta.  Dredge the chicken breast in the rice flour, shaking off the excess.

Coat a large nonstick skillet or sauteuse pan, with olive oil, and begin browning the chicken.  Season with salt and pepper.

When the chicken is cooked through (check with a thermometer), remove to a plate.  Cook the pasta to several minutes less than the package directions (it will finish cooking in the sauce.

Add the butter to the pan and stir in the shallots.  Cook for 30 seconds then add the mushrooms and sage.  Season with salt and pepper.

Add the marsala wine to the pan and simmer to reduce by half.

Add the chicken broth and heavy cream and return to a simmer.

Add the chicken back to the pan, along with the pasta.  Toss well and continue cooking for several minutes to warm the chicken through and finish cooking the pasta.

Serve in bowls and garnish with Italian parsley.

Notes ♪♫ Be sure to use REAL marsala wine, not cooking wine.  I picked up a bottle of Nando dry marsala for under $10 and it was excellent in this recipe.  I’m sure I’ll use the rest of it, because this meal was a definite do-over!

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Rocky Point Red Clam Chowder

I was born and raised in RI and have lived here for most of my life.  This post celebrates a Rhode Island icon of my youth, Rocky Point Park.  The amusement park, which operated from the late 1840s until it closed in 1994 was a favorite childhood destination for its incredible thrill rides.  Shore Dinner Hall at Rocky Point was the place to go for clam cakes and chowder that were famously served to thousands at a time.

Copycat recipes abound for Rocky Point Red Clam Chowder.  Here is my gluten free rendition, and I think it is a fitting tribute to the original!

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Fresh clams are always available in RI, but if you don’t want to do all that prep, frozen raw clams are a great alternative.  They are so much better than canned, and worth seeking out.  Remember, clams cook quickly and should only be added to the chowder during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Ingredients: 

  • 4 oz. salt pork
  • 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 large, sweet onion, diced
  • 2 bottles (16 oz. total) clam juice
  • 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
  • 16 oz. container frozen raw chopped clams, thawed
  • 1 can gluten free tomato soup
  • 1-1/2 tsp. paprika
  • black pepper to taste 

Preparation:

Peel and dice the onions and potatoes, dice the salt pork into 1/2″ pieces.

Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or heavy stockpot over medium low heat.  Add the diced salt pork and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring constantly.  Take your time here, you want nicely browned pork bits and all the rendered fat that is going to flavor the chowder.

Remove the browned bits with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels and set aside for garnish.  Reserve the fat in the pan.

Add the onions and cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add the potatoes, clam juice, and Old Bay seasoning.  Bring to a boil and simmer 15 minutes.

Finally, add the clams, tomato soup and the paprika.  Cook 5 minutes longer (just a simmer, not a rolling boil), season with black pepper and remove from the heat.  Let stand for 1 hour before serving.

Serve the chowder with a few of the reserved bacon bits for garnish, they really make the flavor pop!  And how about those Oyster Crackers?  Yes, they are from scratch, and they are gluten free!  You’re welcome.

I hope my fellow Rhode Islanders have enjoyed this bit of local nostalgia.  Try the recipe and let me know what you think!  You don’t have to be gluten free, or a local to love this chowder, it is fabulous!

Notes ♪♫ Many red clam chowder recipes call for a can of condensed tomato soup but watch those labels!  Not all are gluten free.  I like Health Valley tomato soup, or this one from Pacific Foods.  If you are limiting your sodium intake, look for low sodium or no salt added.  Either will work well in this recipe, since there are so many other salty ingredients.  Always check labels for hidden gluten, and if the salt pork is too much sodium for your diet, you can sub a few slices of low sodium bacon.

Originally published 8/31/2018, Updated 5/30/21, Rephotographed 7/16/2024

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Gluten Free Southwest Chicken Bowls

If you love that popular chain restaurant with the “irresistible” rice bowls, you know that this started out as a copycat recipe.  I love everything about this meal- the chicken and rice, the Pico de Gallo, the beans and corn, and that chimichurri sauce!

So, I used the restaurant entree as my inspiration, but the best part of cooking at home is that you can adapt a recipe to suit your own taste and preferences.  For instance, I left out the lettuce, and added more chicken and rice.  I used way less salt and hold the guac please (am the only person in the world who doesn’t like avocado?).

The verdict, I thought it came really close to the restaurant version, and the recipe was not difficult (shortcuts are ok!).

So, are you ready to cook?  Let’s break it down into easy steps.

4 Servings

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Ingredients:

Seasoning Blend

  • 1/2 tsp. Cipotle Chile
  • 1/2 tsp. oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. onion granules

Chimichurri

  • 3 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1-1/2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
  • pinch red pepper flakes

OR take a short cut and use a chimichurri mix

Pico de Gallo

  • 1 plum tomato, small dice
  • 1/4 cup red onion, small dice
  • 1 tbsp. jalapeno, fine dice

OR take a short cut and use store bought 😉

Cilantro Lime Rice

  • 1 cup white rice (uncooked)
  • 1/2 cup corn (optional)
  • 2 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. spice
  • squeeze of lime juice
  • 2 tbsp. chopped cilantro

Beans and Corn

  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can sweet corn, drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp. jalapeno, fine dice (or more, to taste)
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil

Grilled Chicken

  • 1 lb. boneless chicken breasts, thin sliced
  • olive oil
  • seasoning
  • lime juice
  • cilantro for garnish
  • gluten free tortilla strips, for serving

Preparation:

  1. Whisk together the seasoning ingredients.  This is my go-to spice blend for Mexican or Tex-Mex inspired meals.  Read more about it here.  It is bursting with flavor and brings all the components of the recipe together.  You can use as much or as little or you like.

2. Stir together the chimichurri ingredients.  If making from scratch, use kitchen shears to cut the parsley into small mince or for a large batch, you could use an electric chopper.  Be sure to do this ahead of time so the flavors have time to meld.

3. For the Pico de Gallo, dice the tomato, red onion and jalapeno and stir together with a squeeze of lime juice.  You can leave it at room temperature or refrigerate.  Score if you found it pre-made at the grocery store!

4. Next cook the rice.  Allow 15 minutes cook time and 5 minutes to rest.  Just before serving, stir in chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

5. Drain and rinse the corn and beans.  In a small saucepan, stir together the corn, beans, olive oil, chicken broth and jalapeno.  Warm over low heat for 15-20 minutes.

6. Now for the final step, it’s time to cook the chicken breast.  Brush each breast with olive oil and sprinkle seasoning on both sides.  Heat a grill pan over medium heat.

Cook for 8-10 minutes depending on thickness, turning halfway.

Here’s how I served it.  I sliced the chicken breast and arranged it down one side of a platter.  I layered the rice in the center, beans and corn next, and finally the Pico de Gallo.  I drizzled the chimichurri sauce over the chicken and garnished with lime slices.  For the table, I had extra chimi sauce for serving along with gluten free tortilla strips.

Let everyone make up their bowls with a little bit of everything and drizzle more chimi sauce over the top.  Garnish with tortilla chips.  Adult beverages optional!

Notes ♪♫ When you cook from scratch at home, you have full control over your food and ingredients.  You will not have to weigh the risk of ordering from the “Gluten Sensitive” or “Gluten Friendly” menu or worry if kitchen and serving staff are trained to understand gluten free.  These bowls are absolutely, positively safe and delicious!

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Gluten Free Chicken Piccata Quick Toss

Do you love Chicken Piccata?  Get all the big restaurant flavor of this classic dish with a few shortcuts that will have dinner on the table in 20 minutes, minus the gluten!

Diced chicken tenders replace cutlets in this express recipe.  Perfect for those busy weeknights when you just want to get dinner on the table, tastes like you’ve been cooking for hours! ❤️

Dinner for two

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Ingredients:

  • 1/2 lb. chicken tenders, cut into chunks
  • 6 oz. gluten free pasta
  • 4 tsp. olive oil, divided plus more for finishing
  • 4 tsp. butter, divided
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 tbsp. arrowroot flour
  • 1/4 cup white wine (not cooking wine)
  • 1/2 cup gluten free, low sodium chicken broth
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 tbsp. small capers (more if you like)
  • Italian parsley for garnish
  • grated cheese

Preparation:

Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions, drain and set aside.

Use a large stainless-steel skillet to brown the chicken in 2 tsp. each of butter and olive oil.  Season with salt and pepper.  Don’t crowd the pan, if it doesn’t fit then make 2 batches.

Notice the chicken isn’t quite cooked through at this point, it will finish in the sauce at the end.

Transfer the chicken to a bowl and set aside, keep warm.  Add the remaining 2 tsp. each of butter and olive oil.  Add the shallots and garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes stirring constantly.

Be ready with the wine, lemon juice and chicken broth.  Sprinkle the flour over the shallots and garlic and whisk continuously.

Drizzle the liquid into the pan as you continue whisking.

Return the chicken and pasta to the pan and toss to heat through. Cook for several minutes, the liquid will thicken as it comes to a simmer.  Stir in the capers and lemon zest at the very end.

To finish, transfer to a serving bowl and drizzle with more olive oil, then garnish with Italian parsley and a little grated cheese.

Yum, how good does that look?  I love this kind of meal for busy weeknights.  Open a bottle of your favorite white wine for this recipe, and then pour a glass for the cook!

Notes ♪♫ I love arrowroot flour for thickening.  It makes a lump free roux every time and I use it in some of my flour blends for bread baking as well.  It’s something I always have on hand in my gluten free pantry!

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Gluten Free Shrimp Scampi

Sometimes you have a meal in a restaurant, and it just sticks in your mind until you finally take the time to recreate it at home.  This is one of those meals.  I love seafood pasta and Shrimp Scampi has to be at the top of my list for all-time favorites.

Did you know this dish is super-fast and easy to prepare?  Yes, a five-star dinner that is quick enough to make on a weeknight!

Dinner for two

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Ingredients:

  • 2 garlic cloves, sliced thin
  • 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 cup (about half of a 14.5 oz. can) fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt
  • 2 tbsp. white wine
  • 2 tsp. lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 4 oz. gluten free spaghetti
  • 2 tbsp. shaved Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 1 tbsp. chopped Italian parsley

Preparation:

Heat the olive oil in a nonstick deep skillet or Saute Pan.  Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes.  Cook for 30 seconds.

Add the tomatoes, salt, and wine.  Simmer 10 minutes.  Heat a large pot of salted water for the spaghetti and bring to a boil.  Add the spaghetti and set your timer for 1 minute less than the package directions.

When you have 8 minutes to go on the spaghetti, add the shrimp to the sauce with the lemon juice.  Cook for 3 minutes then turn to finish.

Drain the spaghetti and add it to the pan with 2 tbsp. unsalted butter.  Cook for 1 minute longer to incorporate the flavors.

Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with fresh Italian parsley and shaved Parmigiano.

Notes ♪♫ I know the food police will say that combining cheese with seafood flies in the face of Italian culinary tradition.  But when I had this dish at a restaurant, it came topped with Parmesan shavings and let me tell you it was out of this world!  Use the good stuff, real Parmigiano Reggiano, shaved fresh right before serving.  I am 100% Italian and trust me, it’s wonderful.

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Gluten Free Brunswick Stew

Restaurants have long known the secret, that today’s leftovers can be reinvented into tomorrow’s soups and stews.  It eliminates waste and makes good economic sense too.  I try to follow this principle in my own kitchen by using every last bit of food so that nothing goes to waste.

Brunswick Stew was always a restaurant favorite of mine.  This thick, spicy stew is the ideal way to use up leftovers.  So, whenever I make pulled pork, I put aside some of the meat to make this easy stew.  I add chicken as well, and the rest of the ingredients are pantry staples.

I’m excited to tell you that no oddball ingredients were needed to make Brunswick Stew gluten free.  Of course, when dining out always check with the kitchen to be sure it is safe to order.  At home, you know what to do.  Check labels when using canned products, condiments and seasonings.

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Ingredients:

 Preparation:

Shred 3 cups total of leftover pulled pork and/or chicken.  I used 2 cups of leftover pulled pork and 1 cup cooked chicken (meat from one leg quarter).  Look it over carefully to be sure there are no bones.  I also removed most of the visible fat.

In a 4 qt. nonstick soup pot, heat olive oil and butter until melted.  Add the diced onion and cook until translucent.

Make a space in the center of the pan and add the tomato paste.

Let it toast for a minute then add the stock, tomatoes, BBQ Sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings.

Finally add the fire roasted corn and stir everything together.

Keep it on a low simmer until all ingredients are heated through, about 20 minutes.  Remember, most of the ingredients are already cooked, so we are warming it up and giving the flavors a chance to meld together.  Like all soups and stews, this one is even better the next day!

Notes ♪♫ As you add the ingredients be sure to taste for seasoning.  If you held back on the pepper flakes and BBQ Seasoning, you could add a bit more for those who like it spicy.  If you prefer a sweeter taste add another tsp. of brown sugar.

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Gluten Free Italian Veal Cutlets

For a special Sunday Dinner, make your family a nice platter of Italian Veal Cutlets.  This was one of my dad’s favorite meals, I especially remember how he loved to order a veal cutlet sandwich at one of the local restaurants.  So be sure to make enough for dinner and leftovers for sandwiches the next day!

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I am fortunate to live in an Italian neighborhood where we can find thin sliced veal cutlets at the market.  At today’s prices, it’s a splurge but if you are making a nice dinner for two you can get away with less than a pound.  Serve with gluten free pasta and extra marinara sauce.

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Set up 3 breading trays (or use plates), one with rice flour, one with beaten egg and one with breadcrumbs.  Preheat the oven to 350º.

Heat a large nonstick skillet with several tablespoons of olive oil.  Keep the heat on medium low.  Working quickly, dredge each piece of veal in the flour, then dip in the egg mixture.  Shake off the excess egg and dredge in the breadcrumbs.  As you finish coating each piece add it to the skillet.  Cook 2 minutes per side until nicely browned, then transfer to a baking sheet.  Continue with the remaining slices, adding more olive oil to the pan as needed.  The cutlets do not have to be cooked through at this point, they will finish in the oven.

Ladle marinara over each slice and top with grated cheese, as much as you like.

Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes, just enough to melt the cheese.

That’s it.  Not complicated at all.  Serve with a nice plate of pasta and some good gluten free bread to soak up the sauce and you’ve got a fine meal on the table in under an hour (they’ll think you’ve been cooking all day though).

Notes ♪♫ Veal cutlets need to be sliced very thin.  If you can’t get them this way at the store you will need to place the meat between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound to 1/4″ thickness with a meat mallet.  If veal is not in the budget, you will be happy to know you can also make this recipe with chicken!

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